Israeli novelist on literary peace prize shortlist

NEW YORK (JTA) — Israeli novelist David Grossman was named a finalist for the only international literary peace prize awarded in the United States.

The board of the Dayton Literary Peace Prize announced Tuesday that Grossman was on its short list of possible award winners for his collection of essays "Writing in the Dark."

The committee said Grossman was a finalist for his "six essays on politics and culture in Israel, including his speech on the 2006 Lebanon War, which took the life of his son. Grossman addresses the conscience of a country that has lost faith in its leaders and its ideals."

Along with Grossman, others on the shortlist include the notable authors Thomas L. Friedman and Ma Jian.